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Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:
Re: Mystery inscription
From:
Ann Avery Hunter <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:36:45 -0400
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Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
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Is it possible that he meant "The said", in the sense of "This"?

Ann
---
Ann Avery Hunter
Winston-Salem, NC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Henry Wiencek" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 6:18 PM
Subject: [VA-HIST] Mystery inscription


The Monticello joiner John Hemmings carved a headstone for his wife with
this inscription:

THE SED
IS PLACED AT THE HEAD
OF MY DEAR AFFECTIONATE
WIFE PRISCILLA HEMMINGS
DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON FRI
DAY THE 7TH OF MAY 1830 AG 54

The opening words "The Sed" have defied interpretation.  The more I have
looked at this the more I wonder if it's one word--"Thesed"--and that it
actually means "These is placed at the head . . . ", and that Hemmings
carved "Thesed" because that's how he would have pronounced it.  "Thesed is
my children": "thesed is my tools."  Or is it really "The Sed"?  Can anybody
shed any light on this?

Henry Wiencek
Charlottesville

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